The daily "I cycled to work" thread

[TwistingMyMelon]

Did a cenury ride down to the 7 bridge with our club last Saturday

Got to Malmesbury in Wilts on a backroad and they had covered it with thick gravel. Not just a "top dressing" but about 3/4 inches of gravel . It was like this for about 2 miles, but of a pain on 23c tyres and a nice frame. About 20 of us riding were all limping along with very tight bumcheeks

Is this the norm now? I can see why "gravel bikes" have proliferated abroad where gravel roads are the norm, unusual in the UK

[Huntsman]

All five days this week.

[Matt_N]

Developed a cold over the course of the week, sniffly ride in this morning. Should be nice on the way home too, sun's out.

[anonymous-user]

Way too hot to ride home tonight, air conditioned trip home for me.

[E65Ross]

timnoyce said:

E65Ross said:

I see you go down Stakes Lane/Belmore Lane....great road that for hills....there's literally no flat. Although WTF they have done to the road surface when they resurfaced it a few months back I've no idea...it's fking hateful to ride on now.

I'd not ridden it before tbh, but it is a bit savage. Excellent training as you say. The standard of a lot of Hampshires lesser roads seem to be pretty terrible at the moment. Not sure when it was decided that surface dressing of roads was a good idea for any of the users! I fear the day that I lose the bike under me on some loose gravel and slide down one of those roads

Rode this road again today. Lovely day for it!

https://www.strava.com/activities/676909664/sharea...

But that was after doing 83 miles yesterday!

[1ians]

Was hot but for the first time in months no head wind home! Took it easy but still did my PB over 6 segments.

[WinstonWolf]

I had your headwind on the fens, made even nicer by all the dust from the combines blowing all over me

[E65Ross]

Lovely ride into work this morning wearing my PH jersey temperature was a BIT cool but once going I was fine. My PH jersey is an aero one which is a different material and slightly more "elastic".....doesn't keep you as cool and actually worked really well in these temperatures. 19.8 miles in at 18.6mph I think....would have been quicker if it wasn't for some idiots on the road (one overtook me down portsdown hill....40mph limit I was doing about 38) and then 100m up the road he wanted to turn right....and naturally didn't leave me any room on the left....tt ) and seemingly getting caught at every set of lights and roadworks on the route.

Some porridge with SIS advanced isolate+ strawberry protein powder for breakfast

[louiebaby]

Just a bit of a tootle in this morning, after pumping up the tyres, giving the bike a wipe and tightening the front derailleur and rear brake, and giving the chain a clean and oil. I really need to give it a couple of hours of love and attention.

Was lovely riding in with a small tailwind, cloudless sky and after no sleep because of noisy kids. (Mine.) I do sometimes wonder how quick I would be with a proper 10 hours sleep each night.

Porridge and protein too!

[timnoyce]

I also had a splendid commute this morning. Despite being caught at every set of traffic lights I managed to push on for a seasons best commute time. Not my best ever, but not bad.

https://www.strava.com/activities/677678820

I forgot breakfast but did find some Peanut Butter Oreo cookies in my drawer to have with my coffee. Result.

[timnoyce]

Week 2 of Long Ride to Work Wednesday. Different route this morning. Lovely day to be out on the bike!

Wacky Wednesday 2.0 - Strava

Coffee and a Florentine... posh.

[GarryDK]

decided to take the Roadie in to work today instead of the commuter, took 10 mins off my time lol.

[johnwilliams77]

What does everyone have in terms of winter cycling shoes? I am thinking of buying now before they go up in price.

[E65Ross]

johnwilliams77 said:

What does everyone have in terms of winter cycling shoes? I am thinking of buying now before they go up in price.

Summer shoes plus GribGrab Arctic overshoes plus some insanely thick socks (TOG 2.3!!)

[E65Ross]

timnoyce said:

Week 2 of Long Ride to Work Wednesday. Different route this morning. Lovely day to be out on the bike!

Wacky Wednesday 2.0 - Strava

Coffee and a Florentine... posh.

If you want a nice climb try going down Harvesting Lane/Butser Hill from the East Meon and heading South direction.

[GarryDK]

johnwilliams77 said:

What does everyone have in terms of winter cycling shoes? I am thinking of buying now before they go up in price.

Overshoes and thick socks.

[johnwilliams77]

GarryDK said:

Overshoes and thick socks.

I also have these. Wasn't enough. I am wondering what winter shoes people are using, I seen someone mention a pair before.

[yellowjack]

johnwilliams77 said:

What does everyone have in terms of winter cycling shoes? I am thinking of buying now before they go up in price.

Northwave. Either Centigrade or Fahrenheit models, depending on which pedals (road or SPD) you use. For MTBing I've only got winter boots, which can be a real pain if it's hot, but they're brilliant in the cold and wet.

[JQ]

Northwave Celsius Goretex boots, they were a revelation after years of getting cold wet feet in overshoes. Those and decent winter gloves had been my very best cycling purchases for winter commuting.

[johnwilliams77]

yellowjack said:

Northwave. Either Centigrade or Fahrenheit models, depending on which pedals (road or SPD) you use. For MTBing I've only got winter boots, which can be a real pain if it's hot, but they're brilliant in the cold and wet.

Thank you - will check it out
Just using standard pedals for the commute with a few stop starts